UK app developers to get alternate payment option on Google Play
The Community News/London
In a break from mandatory payments processing, app developers in the UK will be offered an alternate payment option on Google Play store’s billing by global tech giant, Google Inc.
Google’s move came after UK’s Competition and Markets Authority ruling on Google Play’s system for in-house billing process for in-app transactions.
As Google Play accounts for over 90 percent downloads on Android systems in Britain, there are concerns over higher prices and reduced choices for users.
This had led CMA to order a new investigation into in-app purchase rules and Google’s control over payment processing.
Ann Pope, CMA Senior Director of Antitrust, said, “Google’s complete control over in-app payments raised concerns this unfairly restricted app developers – by forcing them to use Google Play’s billing system – putting distance between them and their customers and reducing competition, to the detriment of Google Play users.
While we’re pleased our investigation has resulted in Google offering to give in-app payment freedom to thousands of app developers. We need to make sure these commitments will work in practice – so we welcome all feedback, which we will carefully consider before making a final decision.”
